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PCB DesignWhen It Comes to CAD, Function Beats SpeedA veteran PCB designer's question – "What sort of data is available to benchmark the top four CAD tools out there?" – sparks a huge survey and reveals some surprising answers.by Chelsey Drysdale

TPCA ReportThe Mitchell PlanIPC's new president is wasting no time remaking the trade group in his own (attentive) image.by Matthew Holzmann

ReliabilityTechnical Diagnostics of Electronics Products: Application of Bayes Formula and Boltzmann-Arrhenius-Zhurkov (BAZ) ModelFor systems where failure-free operation is critical, technical diagnostics can recognize, in a continuous fashion and without dismantling, the ability to continue to function as expected over the long-term.by Ephraim Suhir, Laurent BECHOU and Alain Bensoussan

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Advanced PackagesStepping Out With 0.4mm Pitch BGA/PoPsOEMs are finding the move from 0.5mm pitch BGA PoP to the next generation, 0.4mm ultra-fine pitch BGA PoP tough, indeed. These rules-of-thumb will help make the jump.by Syed W. Ali

AssociationsThe Mitchell PlanIPC's new president is wasting no time remaking the trade group in his own (attentive) image.by Mike Buetow

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PCB Design7 Manual Routing TipsManual routing allows the engineer to apply all their experience to the design. An autorouter is an algorithm, and as such is limited in performing analysis or making decisions. But routing by hand, while time-consuming, can offer several advantages.by Alex Mykhaylenko and Vlad Khomenko

TrainingDfE Instruction Goes OnlineSome 80% of the environmental impact of a product occurs during design. A new Web-based training program teaches cost-savings using best-of-breed design and purchasing practicesp.by Mike Buetow

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ProcurementBest Practices for Improving the PCB Supply ChainPCBs should always be considered a critical commodity. Without stringent controls in place for board supplier selection, qualification and management, long-term product quality and reliability is neither achievable nor sustainable. Here are best practices and recommendations for improving your supply chainby Cheryl Tulkoff and Craig Hillman, Ph.D.

PCB DesignResolving EMI Effects in High-Speed BoardsThe biggest effect EMI has on a design is that a product that doesn’t pass government requirements (FCC, for example) for radiated emissions cannot be shipped. But even if the product passes, and it is still radiating, it means reduced margins for signals and possible reliability issues – and usually increased susceptibility to outside noise. Most problems can be avoided simply by making sure all currents travel in a closed loop.by Patrick Carrier

NTI-100The 90-10 Split Currency fluctuations had a big impact on the largest 104 printed circuit board manufacturers in 2011. Still, while making up less than 4% of the world's shops, the NTI-100 contributed more than 80% of the revenue.by Dr. Hayao Nakahara

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CAMCAM in the CloudA handful of PCB industry veterans are vying to be the first to offer pre-CAM analysis through the cloud. But will users prefers a pay-as-you-go model?by Mike Buetow

PlatingSuccessful Formulation of ENIG PlatingAs Pb-free solder can leave bumps on the traces during HASL (hot air solder leveling), many alternate surface finish processes have been investigated to overcome this challenge. Several formulations of ENIG plating have been tried. A successful formulation of ENIG in continuous use in volume production for more than two years is discussed.by Dr. T.S. Krishna Ram